Lead Paint Research Articles

Philippine health advocates seek vigilant enforcement of lead paint ban

Philippine health advocates seek vigilant enforcement of lead paint ban

Current Advances in Agriculture, Environment, and Chemistry with Technological Applications

Soil contaminated with heavy metals has a negative impact on plant development and survival. On the other hand, plants have developed intricate physiological mechanisms to resist these kinds of environmental stimuli. Anthropogenic sources of emissions are the many industrial point sources, including transporters, smelters and foundries, present and former mining sites, and combustion byproducts. Mercury is released via the degassing of the earth's crust, whereas lead is emitted during its mining and smelting operations, from automotive exhausts by burning petroleum fuels coated with tetraethyl lead antiknock, and from old lead paints. The process of refining zinc releases cadmium as a byproduct and occasionally lead. Emissions are generally released during the mining and processing of metals. Stress from heavy metals affects plants absorb nutrients through interactions with other essential elements. Chromium restricts the quantity of nutrients the soil may absorb by forming insoluble compounds. An intriguing method for managing plastic waste, particularly micro/nano plastics, is photocatalysis. Through the use of suitable light energy, nanostructured semiconductors are excited, producing exciton pairs that react with surrounding water or moisture to produce highly reactive species like superoxide’s and hydroxyl radicals that can effectively oxidize organic species, including polymers. Climate variability affects the sustainability of human and environmental health together with other man-made and natural stresses.

Impacts of phosphorus amendments on legacy soil contamination from lead-based paint on a California, USA university campus

Lead (Pb) is one of the most common heavy metal urban soil contaminants with well-known toxicity to humans. This incubation study (2–159 d) compared the ability of bone meal (BM), potassium hydrogen phosphate (KP), and triple superphosphate (TSP), at phosphorus:lead (P:Pb) molar ratios of 7.5:1, 15:1, and 22.5:1, to reduce bioaccessible Pb in soil contaminated by Pb-based paint relative to control soil to which no P amendment was added. Soil pH and Mehlich 3 bioaccessible Pb and P were measured as a function of incubation time and amount and type of P amendment. XAS assessed Pb speciation after 30 and 159 d of incubation. The greatest reductions in bioaccessible Pb at 159 d were measured for TSP at the 7.5:1 and 15:1 P:Pb molar ratios. The 7.5:1 KP treatment was the only other treatment with significant reductions in bioaccessible Pb compared to the control soil. It is unclear why greater reductions of bioaccessible Pb occurred with lower P additions, but it strongly suggests that the amount of P added was not a controlling factor in reducing bioaccessible Pb. This was further supported because Pb-phosphates were not detected in any samples using XAS. The most notable difference in the effect of TSP versus other amendments was the reduction in pH. However, the relationship between increasing TSP additions, resulting in decreasing pH and decreasing Pb bioaccessibility was not consistent. The 22.5:1 P:Pb TSP treatment had the lowest pH but did not significantly reduce bioaccessible Pb compared to the control soil. The 7.5:1 and 15:1 P:Pb TSP treatments significantly reduced bioaccessible Pb relative to the control and had significantly higher pH than the 22.5:1 P:Pb treatment. Clearly, impacts of P additions and soil pH on Pb bioaccessibility require further investigation to decipher mechanisms governing Pb speciation in Pb-based paint contaminated soils.

The negative effects of lead paint on different physiological systems

Lead (Pb) in paints is a serious public health hazard that has piqued the international community’s interest. Lead concentrations in lead-based paints have been assessed in several research conducted across the world. As a result, the goal of this article was to describe the findings of these research, give some knowledge of their human health consequences for law enforcement, and promote public awareness. The most notable gaps found have been highlighted in order to open the door for additional research efforts aimed at producing thorough data on this subject. Some of the evaluated studies found considerable amounts of lead in paints that were considerably over the allowable limits, despite the many regulatory controls on lead content in paints that exist worldwide. There have been reports of children cases of lead poisoning in a number of nations, including South Africa, France, Morocco, and the US. Lead levels in South Africa (145,000 ppm), China (860,000 ppm), and the US (22,550 ppm) have all been found to be high. 4,485.11 ppm in Thailand. India (104 ppm) and Palestine (6036 ppm). As a result, tight law enforcement measures pertaining to the progressive removal of paints containing lead and the management of lead content are required throughout the globe.

The association between childhood blood lead levels and proximity to airports in Colorado

BackgroundIn October 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a final endangerment finding that leaded aviation gasoline (avgas) contributes to air pollution that is harmful to public health. This study evaluates the evidence for a link between living in proximity to airports and children’s blood lead levels in Colorado.MethodsWe analyzed the association between childhood blood lead levels (BLLs) and proximity to airport point locations in children tested for lead in Colorado over a 10-year study period (2011–2020) using a correlated random effects model with bootstrapped standard errors (N = 56,002 observations, 47,322 individuals). Along with distance from airport point locations, we identified the number of days sampled children lived downwind of their nearest airport during the 60 days prior to their test date. We also adjusted the model for age, sex, detection limit, test type, sample order, seasonality, time, proximity to lead-releasing facilities, estimated monthly aircraft traffic, and demographic characteristics of the surrounding neighborhood.ResultsOur primary model estimates that living one mile (1.6 km) further from airport point locations decreases mean blood lead levels by 0.068 µg/dL. Additional analysis estimates that living one mile further from airport point locations decreases the odds of having a blood lead level ≥ 3.5 µg/dL by 13.2%.ConclusionOur results suggest that lead emissions from aircraft using leaded avgas have a small but statistically significant effect on the BLLs of children living near airport point locations in Colorado. While the risk from proximity to airports is likely less than the risks associated with deteriorating lead paint and dust, our findings highlight the value of lead testing in children who may be at risk of exposure from all sources, including those who live near airports.

Lead-based paint detection using perovskite fluorescence and X-ray fluorescence

BackgroundIngestion of flakes of Pb-based paint by infants remains a global health hazard with life-long consequences. Pb-based paint was banned for residential use in the US and Western Europe decades ago but is still sold in many countries. This study evaluates the performance of a new kit for detecting exposed Pb-based paint relying on the formation of Pb-halide perovskite that fluoresces bright green under a UV flashlight after spraying a non-toxic reagent. ResultsTests with the Lumetallix kit were conducted in parallel with X-fluorescence and inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission analysis upon acid digestion using paint currently sold in Côte d'Ivoire and samples of older US paint. Comparison of the three different methods indicates a detection limit for the Lumetallix kit of approximately 500 mg kg−1 (ppm) Pb in paint, with a sensitivity of 95 % and selectivity of 94 % relative to that threshold (n = 76). This detection limit is an order of magnitude below the US definition of Pb-based paint of 0.5 % (5,000 ppm) Pb by weight. SignificanceBecause the kit is easy to use, exposed paint posing a risk could reliably be screened at scale by the general public. Any follow-up for confirmation and mitigation based on XRF measurements will need to consider that Pb-based paint covered with low-Pb paint will not respond to the kit but will be detected by XRF through the overpainted layer.

Effect of Environmental and Socioeconomic Factors on Increased Early Childhood Blood Lead Levels: A Case Study in Chicago.

This study analyzes the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in children across Chicagoland zip codes from 2019 to 2021, linking them to socioeconomic, environmental, and racial factors. Wilcoxon tests and generalized additive model (GAM) regressions identified economic hardship, reflected in per capita income and unemployment rates, as a significant contributor to increased lead poisoning (LP) rates. Additionally, LP rates correlate with the average age of buildings, particularly post the 1978 lead paint ban, illustrating policy impacts on health outcomes. The study further explores the novel area of land surface temperature (LST) effects on LP, finding that higher nighttime LST, indicative of urban heat island effects, correlates with increased LP. This finding gains additional significance in the context of anthropogenic climate change. When these factors are combined with the ongoing expansion of urban territories, a significant risk exists of escalating LP rates on a global scale. Racial disparity analysis revealed that Black and Hispanic/Latino populations face higher LP rates, primarily due to unemployment and older housing. The study underscores the necessity for targeted public health strategies to address these disparities, emphasizing the need for interventions that cater to the unique challenges of these at-risk communities.

A Collaborative Approach to Hazardous & Contaminated Collections Conundrums

A wide range of inherent vices and acquired hazards can be found in museum collections worldwide. Inherent hazards include items decorated with lead paint, objects containing dyes and pigments, archaeological and geological collections containing silica dust, poisonous herbarium specimens, geological collections that naturally contain heavy metals or are radioactive, objects created from uranium glass and even historic medicinal collections containing old medications and other dangerous substances. Acquired hazards include historic chemical pesticide treatments including toxic metal-based poisons such as arsenic and mercuric salts and, later in time, organic compounds such as DDT were also employed. How can museums identify and manage these complex issues? This case study addresses these concerns and highlights a multi-year collaboration between the Indiana University Indianapolis Museum Studies Program, Purdue University’s School of Health Sciences and the Indiana Medical History Museum (IMHM) that can serve as a replicable model for other museums grappling with these same conundrums.

Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB): A Potent Source of Heavy Metal Stress Management in Plants

Heavy metals or metalloids are toxic elements found throughout the crust of the earth’s surface. The gradual increase of heavy metal concentration in soil and water due to some natural and anthropogenic activities like application of agrochemicals, waste disposal, industrial activities, mining, smelting, lead-based paints, etc cause stress to the local vegetation. Soil microorganisms play a critical part in the remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil and thereby exert direct or indirect promotion to plant growth. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), specially the Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), are a natural, sustainable, and eco-friendly solution for mitigating stress challenges. They can boost plant growth by alleviating heavy metal toxicity through various mechanisms such as metal sequestration, metal immobilization, and production of metal chelating compounds, which reduce metal toxicity and enhance plant growth. This review summarizes the effect of heavy metal stress on plants, the response of plants to heavy metal stress, mechanisms involved in metal stress tolerance by soil bacteria, and their application in managing heavy metal stress in plants.

Lead-based paint’s impact on certain blood parameters, kidney functions and oxidative stress

Lead is added to the paint to improve its dryness, durability, and resistance to corrosion in addition to adding color. One recognized occupational toxin is lead Increased exposure to lead can have negative health impacts on the body, such as liver, kidney, and nervous system damage. Anemia, hypertension, and a host of other illnesses can also be brought on by it. Many blood indicators, antioxidants, and kidney function of lead-exposed workers were studied in this study. A control group of forty healthy individuals who were not exposed to lead at work and fifty men between the ages of 18 and 50 who work in paint-related professions were chosen. In comparison to the control group, the results indicated an increase in the number of white blood cells and a reduction in the number of red blood cells. We found no difference in the amount of creatinine in the blood of the workers and the control group, except for a rise in the percentage of urea in the blood of the workers compared to the group that was not exposed when conducting renal functions. The results also revealed a significant rise in the levels of both (MDA and CAT).

IMPACT OF POOR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ON GROUNDWATER QUALITY: A REVIEW

Groundwater is the most important source of drinking water and it is the basic need of all living organisms. The quality of the groundwater has become acute nowadays. Rapid urbanization and population growth added to the problem. A lot of solid waste generated from residences, hospitals, etc. is dumped on open land areas. It is found that most of the area around the open landfill contains contaminated groundwater due to open dumping of waste. When the waste includes heavy metals like cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, etc. it is evident that the solid waste contains batteries, Lead-based paints, and fluorescent lamps. The authorities should prohibit MSW dumping in the open area to control further water pollution. Many previous studies have shown the impact of open landfill dumping on groundwater quality due to inadequate precautions. This paper reviewed the impact of poor solid waste management on groundwater quality.

Trust and subjective knowledge influence perceived risk of lead exposure.

Lead exposure is a persistent environmental hazard that poses risks to human health. But motivating protective action is challenging with this low visibility hazard whose health effects are often subtle and chronic. Higher risk perception is generally associated with taking protective measures, so public health efforts prioritize risk messaging. Yet, little is known about perceptions of lead exposure risk among the U.S. public. Using cross-sectional data from a national survey of 1035 U.S. residents, we measured the role of trust in government management of lead and subjective knowledge about lead as predictors of perceived risk of lead exposure, controlling for demographic and environmental factors. We also assessed if subjective knowledge moderated the relationship between trust and perceived risk. Our results reveal positive relationships between trust in government management of lead, subjective knowledge about lead, and risk perception, which we attribute in part to the important role government agencies play in secondary prevention, or communicating the risks of environmental lead exposure. We also found that younger people and people living in a house built before lead paint regulations passed in 1978 perceived higher lead risks. Our findings suggest that general communication about lead risks should aim to increase people's subjective knowledge in a consistent and balanced way that improves trust in government messengers.

Electrochemistry of Lead As the Basis of Adoption of Lead Technologies in History

“The goal of the symposium is to draw together the collective interests of scientists and engineers skilled in moving along the path from ideas to profits.” Illustrative of that process at the global level is the use of lead throughout history. The adoption of lead in key technologies is based not only on its ease of corrosion but also on competing political and economic interests. Some of the underlying chemistry and surrounding decision making are of interest and are the subject of this talk. 1) White lead paint and (2) sugar of lead were adopted in the Roman Empire due to the ease of corrosion of lead and continued, in the case of paint, into the 1970s. 3) One theory for the fall of the Roman Empire is due to lead intake, in part, from lead water pipes. This theory will be briefly examined in the context of other lead uses. 4) The politics, science, and, then current understanding of lead health issues, were debated at the time of widespread adoption of lead piping (1850s) as will be explored up and to current politics in Flint and current epicenter of lead pipe issues (Chicago). 5) Lead acid batteries were the leading propulsion choice for vehicles in the 1890s. How money shaped the race between lead acid battery and gasoline powered vehicles is explained. An understanding of these competing interests and alternative technologies may inform challenges of adoption of technology today.

Geographical Patterns and Risk Factor Association of Cardio-Oncology Mortality in the United States

Cardio-oncology mortality (COM) is a complex issue that is compounded by multiple factors that transcend a depth of socioeconomic, demographic, and environmental exposures. Although metrics and indexes of vulnerability have been associated with COM, advanced methods are required to account for the intricate intertwining of associations. This cross-sectional study utilized a novel approach that combined machine learning and epidemiology to identify high-risk sociodemographic and environmental factors linked to COM in United States counties. The study consisted of 987,009 decedents from 2,717 counties, and the Classification and Regression Trees model identified 9 county socio-environmental clusters that were closely associated with COM, with a 64.1% relative increase across the spectrum. The most important variables that emerged from this study were teen birth, pre-1960 housing (lead paint indicator), area deprivation index, median household income, number of hospitals, and exposure to particulate matter air pollution. In conclusion, this study provides novel insights into the socio-environmental drivers of COM and highlights the importance of utilizing machine learning approaches to identify high-risk populations and inform targeted interventions for reducing disparities in COM.

Sources of exposure to lead in Arctic and subarctic regions: a scoping review

ABSTRACT Understanding lead exposure pathways is a priority because of its ubiquitous presence in the environment as well as the potential health risks. We aimed to identify potential lead sources and pathways of lead exposure, including long-range transport, and the magnitude of exposure in Arctic and subarctic communities. A scoping review strategy and screening approach was used to search literature from January 2000 to December 2020. A total of 228 academic and grey literature references were synthesised. The majority of these studies (54%) were from Canada. Indigenous people in Arctic and subarctic communities in Canada had higher levels of lead than the rest of Canada. The majority of studies in all Arctic countries reported at least some individuals above the level of concern. Lead levels were influenced by a number of factors including using lead ammunition to harvest traditional food and living in close proximity to mines. Lead levels in water, soil, and sediment were generally low. Literature showed the possibility of long-range transport via migratory birds. Household lead sources included lead-based paint, dust, or tap water. This literature review will help to inform management strategies for communities, researchers, and governments, with the aim of decreasing lead exposure in northern regions.

Using Artificial Intelligence to Identify Sources and Pathways of Lead Exposure in Children.

Sources and pathways of lead exposure in young children have not been analyzed using new artificial intelligence methods. To collect environmental, behavioral, and other data on sources and pathways in 17 rural homes to predict at-risk households and to compare urban and rural indicators of exposure. Cross-sectional pilot study. Knox County, Illinois, which has a high rate of childhood lead poisoning. Rural families. Neural network and K-means statistical analysis. Children's blood lead level. Lead paint on doors, lead dust, residential property assessed tax, and median interior paint lead level were the most important predictors of children's blood lead level. K-means analysis confirmed that settled house dust lead loadings, age of housing, concentration of lead in door paint, and geometric mean of interior lead paint samples were the most important predictors of lead in children's blood. However, assessed property tax also emerged as a new predictor. A sampling strategy that examines these variables can provide lead poisoning prevention professionals with an efficient and cost-effective means of identifying priority homes for lead remediation. The ability to preemptively target remediation efforts can help health, housing, and other agencies to remove lead hazards before children develop irreversible health effects and incur costs associated with lead in their blood.

Housing‐Related Hazards and Lead‐Based Paint Capital Fund Program (HUD)

Federal Grants & ContractsVolume 47, Issue 5 p. 6-6 Grants Alerts Housing-Related Hazards and Lead-Based Paint Capital Fund Program (HUD) First published: 31 January 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/fgc.32845Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume47, Issue52 February 2023Pages 6-6 RelatedInformation

Remediation of Pb-contaminated soil using biochar-based slow-release P fertilizer and biomonitoring employing bioindicators

Soil contamination by Pb can result from different anthropogenic sources such as lead-based paints, gasoline, pesticides, coal burning, mining, among others. This work aimed to evaluate the potential of P-loaded biochar (Biochar-based slow-release P fertilizer) to remediate a Pb-contaminated soil. In addition, we aim to propose a biomonitoring alternative after soil remediation. First, rice husk-derived biochar was obtained at different temperatures (450, 500, 550, and 600 °C) (raw biochars). Then, part of the resulting material was activated. Later, the raw biochars and activated biochars were immersed in a saturated KH2PO4 solution to produce P-loaded biochars. The ability of materials to immobilize Pb and increase the bioavailability of P in the soil was evaluated by an incubation test. The materials were incorporated into doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0%. After 45 days, soil samples were taken to biomonitor the remediation process using two bioindicators: a phytotoxicity test and enzyme soil activity. Activated P-loaded biochar produced at 500 °C has been found to present the best conditions for soil Pb remediation. This material significantly reduced the bioavailability of Pb and increased the bioavailability of P. The phytotoxicity test and the soil enzymatic activity were significantly correlated with the decrease in bioavailable Pb but not with the increase in bioavailable P. Biomonitoring using the phytotoxicity test is a promising alternative for the evaluation of soils after remediation processes.

Evaluation of academic detailing to educate clinicians regarding childhood lead poisoning prevention: a pilot study.

Environmental exposures are associated with approximately 19% of disease globally, and exposure to neurotoxic chemicals is estimated to cost the United States $50 billion per year. Despite calls from the Institute of Medicine to increase training for clinicians regarding environmental health since the 1990s, there is still little instruction in environmental health for clinicians. This leaves gaps in knowledge that need to be bridged through outreach and education to practicing clinicians. Academic detailing (AD) is an educational intervention associated with improved prescribing practices in healthcare professionals but has not been applied to preventive or environmental health. Childhood lead exposure is a common condition associated with lifetime increased risk of cognitive and behavioral problems. Ohio has more than 2 million homes built before 1978, making exposure to lead-based paint a significant public health problem; however, only 50% of high-risk children are tested for lead. Few receive health promotion information regarding lead poisoning prevention, in part because this is not a part of training for healthcare providers (HCPs). The objectives of this study were twofold: (1) implement a pilot of AD sessions on the topic of childhood lead poisoning prevention with frontline HCPs and theirstaff in different practice settings; and (2) evaluate theacceptability of these training sessions utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods. Physicians, nurses, social workers, community health workers, and clinical office staff were recruited from clinics who care for children at high risk for lead exposure. Trainings consisting of small group AD style sessions were presented at these sites. Learning objectives included increasing knowledge regarding lead testing requirements, enabling identification of lead's impact on child development and equipping participants to provide anticipatory guidance for parents regarding lead poisoning prevention. Participants provided feedback through an anonymous questionnaire and qualitative feedback. There were 46 participants (12 physicians in practice/in training, 21 nursing or office staff, and 13 community health or social workers); more than 90% of the participants reported that the training achieved its learning objectives. Small-group presentations were preferred (91%); approximately 39% of participants requested an online format. Participants preferred that the presenters be either a public health or lead clinical expert, and they suggested that future activities include clinical vignettes. Academic-detailing style training shows promise in promoting childhood lead poisoning prevention for frontline HCPs.

Lead content in automotive paints purchased at formal and informal outlets in Kenya

Lead (Pb) is added to automotive paints to prevent corrosion on metallic surfaces, for decorative colours, and for reflective properties to heighten visibility, and enhanced drying time, and durability. However, there are substitutes for all of these applications and Pb is highly toxic to human health and the environment. Through concerted efforts, leaded gasoline was phased out and currently, the focus is on lead-based paints. Leaded automotive paint used for spray painting activities often conducted in close proximity to human habitation raises public health concerns over possible exposure. This study was therefore undertaken to assess Pb levels in automotive paints frequently used by informal spray painters. A total of thirty-two (n = 32) cans of automotive paints were purchased in 4 sets of red, blue, green and white colours from eight formal and informal retail shops. Lead levels in the paint samples were analyzed in triplicates using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. All the automotive paints from the informal retail shops had Pb levels that ranged from 220 to 2740 ppm, and exceeded the regulatory limit of 90 ppm. The blue paint from the informal store had the highest Pb levels which were 30 times of the set limit. On the contrary, the paints from the formal stores had significantly (p < 0.05) lower Pb levels that ranged from 80.7 to 580 ppm than those of the informal stores. Although only one paint sample from the former retail shop had Pb levels within the limit. In general, the elevated Pb levels in automotive paints that are used in an unregulated environment are potential sources of exposure and environmental contamination. The study urgently calls for enforcement of the regulatory limits and comprehensive Pb exposure assessments in this sector.